Good things come

Everywhere in nature we are taught the lessons of
patience and waiting.
We want things a long time before we get them,
and the fact that we want them a long time
makes them all the more
precious
when they come.


Joseph F. Smith

baby mine

Cate's first dance recital is in a few days.

She had a little rehearsal after school today. (A little rehearsal that lasted almost two and a half hours. Super duper glad I left Danny at Aunt Judy's house. He would have been a beast sitting there watching all those girls dancing.)

I was excited to see the rehearsal because the parents are only allowed to watch the dance classes for the last 5 minutes every week so that we're not too distracting to the little ones. I had no idea what their dances would be so I was happy for this little sneak peak.

Out those little girlies came onto the stage for their first song. They were each holding a baby doll as they found their spots and then snuggled down on the floor.

And then the music started.

Baby Mine.

Do you know that one? 

I think it's from the movie Dumbo (although I remember it sung by Bette Midler in the movie Beaches and I swear I've seen that movie a hundred times).

But more recently I recognized it from the CD of lullabies I used to rock Danny to sleep listening to.

And I sat there in the high school auditorium this afternoon watching my baby girl dance on stage to that song while holding my phone with both hands to keep it steady so the video wouldn't be shaky with tears rolling down my cheeks. 

That's my baby up there. The one for years and years and years and years I wasn't sure I'd even have. The one who was born four weeks early and teeny tiny. The one who spent three weeks in the hospital with tubes and wires and beeping machines. The one who's been growing and growing these past almost five years and now look at her. 

She's perfection and I'm so glad she's mine.

And I'm pretty sure Dan's going to need to bring his hanky along on Saturday.

Six is my favorite

I think six years old might just be the best yet. 

I love this kid a lot.

Is it ok that I'm happy he's not a baby anymore? 

I know lots of moms want to freeze time and keep their kids little.

If I could do that, I wouldn't want a baby forever. Or even a toddler.

I'd want this kid as a six-year-old.

It's my favorite.